XCrookshanks: Hey guys sorry this was so long in coming. I was working on my other story and hit a big era of writers block. Hope you like this chapter!

Fireheart: Yeah, so help her out by reviewing. It's kind of sad there are more chapters than reviews. lol

XCrookshanks: Thanks Fireheart. Anyone have a disclaimer for me?

Fireheart: …

Snowkit: I will! I will!

XCrookshanks: O-okay, then. Who are you anyway?

Snowkit: I'm Snowkit! She doesn't own Warriors, y'all!

Fireheart: Nice accent.

Snowkit: *bows playfully* Thanks! *leaves*

XCrookshanks: Ok… back to the story…

Fireheart: He was cute though…

That night Dustclaw couldn't sleep. His dreams were haunted by Shiva's merciless hunts, his fangs digging deep into fur or his talons ripping flesh. When he woke the next morning, his nest was torn and scattered across the den. He hastily scraped it back together and hurried from the den. As he stepped into the morning air, his breath caught in his throat and he gasped at the cold. He could see his breath billowing in front of him and frost covered the ground. Forcing his paws forward, he started across the frozen clearing towards the thorn tunnel.

"Dustclaw!"

He paused and turned to see Tawnyflame bounding towards him, her spotted fur fluffed up against the cold. When she reached him, she said, "Are you going hunting? Can I come too?"

Dustclaw saw the warriors den entrance rustle and Bluefur stepped out, watching them with a curious expression. She sat down, waiting to see what he would do. Dustclaw turned his attention back to Tawnyflame and nodded. "Yeah that fine, do you want to come too?" He added to Bluefur.

Tawnyflame looked crestfallen at his invitation to Bluefur but she didn't say anything as the gray she-cat padded over, her ice blue eyes sparkling. The three continued out into the forest a ways and started sniffed for signs of prey.

"Over here!" Bluefur whispered after a heartbeat. She crept through the undergrowth with Dustclaw and Tawnyflame right behind her. They spotted the prey, a fat squirrel that was nibbling on an acorn. She gestured with her tail for them to go around the other side of the shrub. When they were in position, Bluefur exploded from the bush behind her prey and leaped towards it. The startled squirrel dashed the opposite direction, right into Tawnyflame's claws. She flung it to the ground, gave it a sharp nip and it went limp.

"Great teamwork," Dustclaw praised, appearing from behind a bramble bush. The two she-cats nodded in thanks.

"I'll get this back to camp," Tawnyflame offered, nodding towards the squirrel. She picked it up and vanished through the undergrowth, the frozen stalks swishing behind her.

Bluefur stood a moment than said, "Where to now?"

Dustclaw shrugged. "Down by the river? It might not be frozen." Bluefur nodded and they set off.

Upon reaching the waters edge, their paws were numb, but they saw that Dustclaw was right. The river was still flowing, and only a few tail-lengths in from shore was frozen.

As they neared the dark water, a dark shape exploded from the bushes next to them and bowled Dustclaw over, towards the river. He lashed out at their attacker in attempt to make them falter, but the cat—for it was a cat—held its grip.

Suddenly the weight vanished and he looked up to see Tawnyflame standing there with an amused expression. "Got you!" She crowed triumphantly.

Bluefur was not pleased and growled at the tabby she-cat, her ears flat. Tawnyflame ignored her, which only heightened the tension. Dustclaw shuffled his feet embarrassedly as Tawnyflame wound around him, purring. He edged away from her, bristling. "What do you want?" he snapped harshly.

She froze, a confused and hurt expression on her face. Dustclaw immediately felt bad. He hadn't meant to hurt her; she was just getting too close. "I just wanted to—to be your friend," she replied.

Dustclaw sighed and stepped forward until his muzzle was next to her ear. Bluefur snarled as he whispered into Tawnyflame's ear and stepped back. Tawnyflame gazed at him with understanding, then turned and fled through the undergrowth, emotion flowing off her in waves.

Dustclaw turned back in time to see Bluefur leap at him and bowl him over. "Wha—" he grunted as she pinned him on his back, snarling in his face.

"If you didn't want me," she snapped, "why didn't you just tell me to shove off in the first place?" Her eyes glittered with menace as she stared down at the cowering tan tom.

"Bluefur! I—I do want you! Why else would I tell her that you were—" He broke off quickly, but the damage was done.

Bluefur extended her claws, piercing his skin. "What? What did you tell her?" She demanded vehemently.

Dustclaw turned his head.

Narrowing her eyes, Bluefur leaped off him, fur bristling, and stalked away. Dustclaw sighed in resignation and followed her.

Bluefur heard him approaching and ducked underneath some low-hanging lichen. She heard him call but remained silent.

"Bluefur! Where did you go? I didn't mean that, I was just trying to help." Bluefur almost gave in to him when she heard how pained his mew was. Then she shook herself. It was all just a scam. He didn't want her. He just pretended.

When he finally gave up trying to get her to come out, he turned regretfully back to camp with low spirits. After a while of trudging through the darkening forest, the first few drops of rain hit him. Sighing in resignation, he bowed his head and plowed through as the sprinkle turned into a downpour.

Can my life get any worse? He muttered to himself as his fur quickly soaked with rainwater, weighing him down. Just as he reached the camp entrance, Bluefur caught up to him from nowhere.

"Dustclaw? Ha! I got you didn't I?" Her eyes sparkled as she purred, brushing her dry fur against his soaked. Her mew was hesitant as she added, "I'm sorry for being like that. I really though you were…" she trailed off.

Dustclaw flicked her shoulder with the tip of his tail. "I know, and I'm sorry for making you think that." At that moment, him standing there with Bluefur, everything at last seemed right. With a soft sigh, he buried his nose in her cinder fur. She purred louder and closed her blue eyes.

When the rain stopped, sunlight filtered through the dense branches above them. They stood and entered camp together, acting as if nothing had happened between them.

"Dustclaw, there you are!" Thunderheart called from across the clearing. Spottedfire, Rowanheart and Crowpaw followed close behind as he bounded over to stand in front of the pair. "Could you lead a patrol to check to BlizzardClan border? Reports of scents across the border came in with the dawn patrol."

Dustclaw nodded and asked, "Who should I take?"

"Who ever you want, just make sure they aren't due on another patrol. You can leave now." Thunderheart nodded thanks and vanished through the thorn tunnel with his patrol.

Dustclaw turned to Bluefur, who hadn't said anything, and twitched his whiskers. "You wouldn't like to come would you?" He asked playfully.

She inclined her head and said smartly, but with the same playful manner as he, and replied, "But of course, kind tom! I would love to."

Dustclaw resumed his serious demeanor and said, "Well, I'll go get Fernheart. I'm sure she would love to take Thornpaw out on patrol. Could you go see if Jaywing wants to come?"

She nodded and turned to find the tabby tom while Dustclaw headed for a light tortoiseshell.

"Hey, Fernheart," he called. When the she-cat looked up, he said, "I'm leading a border patrol, and I though you might like to bring Thornpaw along."

The she cat brightened, her eyes lit with excitement. "Of course! He would love that!" She jumped up and disappeared into the apprentices den. A heartbeat later, she reappeared with Thornpaw behind her. His dusty fur was prickling with excitement. They bounded over to Dustclaw, who flicked his tail in greeting.

It was then Bluefur returned, alone. "Jaywing was on a hunting patrol," she announced as she reached Dustclaws side. She nodded at Fernheart as the four cats left camp.

They headed straight for the border, and even before it came in sight, a heavy stench filled the still air.

"That's BlizzardClan all right," Thornpaw spat, his nose wrinkling with distaste at the odor.

Dustclaw nodded in agreement and slowed his pace as they crested the rise. His fur spiked as he recognized the same place they had almost fought the rival clan less than a moon ago.

Suddenly voices could be heard from behind a ridge a tree length away. Unfamiliar voices.

"Froststar, your proposition is fair, but I am not sure my cats will agree."

Froststar, for it was he, replied, and his words chilled Dustclaw to the bone: "I will keep with my promise to you if you help us. We need you to take the forest. You are our only hope, Shiva."

XCrookshanks: Please review!

Snowkit: Yes, please do!

XCrookshanks and Fireheart: …?